43 years ago, tanks rolled out onto the streets. Poland marks the anniversary of 1981 martial law

Martial law in Poland was imposed on December 13, 1981, by a decree of the State Council, which - as emphasized by lawyers and historians - was unconstitutional under the People's Republic of Poland's (PRL) Constitution.

The real power was taken over by the Military Council of National Salvation (WRON), headed by General Wojciech Jaruzelski. The communist authorities justified the decision by citing the need to prevent chaos and the alleged threat posed by the "extremes of Solidarity." In reality, it was a response to the growing social resistance and the dynamic development of the independent trade union movement.

Preparations for the imposition of martial law lasted more than a year and were supported by the Soviet Union. Just before midnight on December 12, Ministry of Internal Affairs officers began Operation Fir (Operacja Jodła) aimed at internment of around 10,000 people, mostly opposition activists and members of "Solidarity."

In the first days of martial law, repressions affected thousands of Poles. Civil rights were suspended, curfew was introduced, institutions were militarized, and strikes were suppressed with force. On December 16, 1981, at the "Wujek" coal mine in Katowice, the Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia (ZOMO) opened fire on striking miners, killing nine and injuring 23. This was the most dramatic act of violence during this period.

The exact number of victims of martial law remains unknown. Various sources report that between several dozen and more than one hundred people lost their lives. Hundreds were injured during demonstrations, and thousands were interned, where they were subjected to violence and repression.

The communist authorities restricted access to information, controlling the press and prohibiting the publication of independent materials. Telephone lines were disconnected, and correspondence was censored. Tanks and military forces appeared on the streets to intimidate the population.

Despite the repression, many opposition activists continued their activities underground. Illegal strikes were organized, leaflets and newspapers were printed, and society, despite the fear, expressed solidarity with those being repressed.

The introduction of martial law was met with international criticism. U.S. President Ronald Reagan imposed economic sanctions on Poland and the Soviet Union, emphasizing that the free world stood in solidarity with the Polish people.

Martial law was suspended on December 31, 1982, and officially lifted on July 22, 1983. Although this period formally ended, many repressive regulations remained in place, and the people continued to feel its effects. With the fall of the USSR on December 26, 1991, Poland regained its freedom. In 2002, the Polish Parliament established December 13 as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Martial Law.

President Andrzej Duda's office also marked the 43rd anniversary of the introduction of martial law.

"On December 13, 1981, tanks, armored vehicles, and combat vehicles rolled out onto the streets of Polish cities. In order to introduce martial law, approximately 80,000 soldiers, 30,000 officers of the Citizens' Militia and the Security Service were mobilized. 1,750 tanks, 1,400 armored vehicles, 500 infantry fighting vehicles, and over 9,000 cars were used. Before midnight, the internment of opposition activists and other planned actions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs began," the Chancellery of the President said on X. "Martial law brought great suffering to thousands of people and their families – isolation in internment camps, imprisonment, deprivation of work, other repressions, and dozens of innocent people lost their lives," the president's office added.

On Friday, the 43rd anniversary of the imposition of martial law, the Polish Parliament published a brief statement recalling the events of 1981. "The self-appointed Military Council of National Salvation, headed by Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski, took control of the country through the military, militia, and other services. Arrests and harassment of opponents of the communist government began. Tanks appeared on the streets of Polish cities, and citizens' freedoms were brutally restricted," the statement reads. It was emphasized that "the period of regaining civil liberties and easing the repressive communist regime, commonly known as the 'Solidarity carnival,' which had begun in August 1980, came to an end." "The imposition of martial law by Wojciech Jaruzelski was a response by the communist authorities to the growing social resistance and the dynamic development of the 'Solidarity' movement. It was a time filled with fear, uncertainty, and dramatic decisions," the statement continued.

"Let us pay tribute to all those who showed courage and determination during those difficult times. Many of these people paid the highest price for their steadfastness, losing their health, freedom, and even their lives," it concluded.

Warsaw Mayor and Civic Coalition (KO) presidential candidate, Rafał Trzaskowski, together with former President Lech Wałęsa, laid flowers at the place where poet Grzegorz Przemyk was murdered in 1983. Przemyk was detained near Castle Square in Warsaw and later beaten to death at the police station on Jezuicka Street.

They also laid flowers at the grave of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko at the church of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Warsaw.

Trzaskowski pointed out, among other things, the contributions of Zbigniew Janas.

"A hero of the democratic opposition. During martial law, he was pursued by a wanted notice. He still laughs today at the description prepared by the communist authorities," he wrote. "A letter from 1981 and other memorabilia from the life of 'Solidarity' in the PRL will soon be available for you to see with your own eyes at the Museum of Warsaw," he announced.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and PiS's candidate for president, Karol Nawrocki, awarded the Crosses of Freedom and Solidarity to opposition activists from the independence movement between 1956 and 1989.

The event took place at the Museum of Cursed Soldiers and Political Prisoners of the Polish People's Republic in Warsaw.